Introduction to Gale Garnett
Gale Garnett is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress and novelist who is best known for her 1964 hit “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine.” Gale Zoe Garnett made her public singing debut in 1960, and made her first appearance at a New York nightclub in 1963. That same year, she was signed to RCA Records where she cut her single “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine.” In the fall of 1964, it became a big hit, garnering a high spot on the US Billboard chart. The song won a Grammy for Best Folk Recording in 1965. Garnett went on to record and perform throughout the decade, along with Gentle Reign, her backing group. As an actress, she appeared in films and in TV, mostly in supporting roles; she can also be seen in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a sleeper hit in 2002. She also entered a journalism career and became a columnist for various newspapers and magazines. Garnett has written novels as well, the latest book being Savage Adoration in 2009.
Early life and career — from New Zealand to New York
Singer, songwriter and actress Gale Garnett was born Gale Zoe Garnett in Auckland, New Zealand in on July 17, 1942. She lived in New Zealand until she was eleven, when she and her family moved to Canada. It was also there where she developed her musical talents, and in 1960 she made her first singing appearance, and during that time she also made her acting debut on several television shows such as the detective drama 77 Sunset Strip.
“We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” – Garnett’s biggest hit
In 1963, she made her nightclub debut in New York, and later obtained her first recording contract with RCA Victor Records. Garnett wrote a song called “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine;” released by her label, it rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the easy listening chart, and #43 on the country singles chart in 1964. It became Garnett’s sole major hit. The single’s album (Garnett’s debut LP as well) My Kind of Folk Songs went to #43 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Because of the chart and commercial success of “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine,” Garnett won a Grammy award in the category of Best Folk Recording.
Later recording career
Garnett was mostly active in recording and performing throughout the 1960s, mostly along with her backing band Gentle Reign. Her only charting singles were “Lovin’ Place” (#54 pop), from her second LP of the same title, and a non-album single called “I Cry Alone,” which bubbled under the Hot 100.
Garnett gave a memorable voice performance in the animated comedy film Mad Monster Party, which was a Rankin/Bass production. In it, Garnett’s character Francesca sang two songs: “Our Time to Shine” and “Never Was a Love Like Mine.” When the counteculture period occurred, she had also begun to perform psychedelic songs along with her backing band.
As an actress and author
By the 1980s, Garnett had retired from the music business. Since the late 1960s, she had taken up acting, and most of the time she appeared in supporting roles. She appeared in some movies, the most notable the 2002 sleeper hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding and some television appearances.
She also entered a journalism career and became a columnist for various newspapers and magazines.
As an author, Garnett has released novel/novella books including Visible Amazement (1999), Transient Dancing (2003), Room Tone (2007) and her latest, Savage Adoration (2009).